The webtoon world was shaken when Wind Breaker, considered one of Naver’s largest hits, was abruptly taken down following plagiarism allegations. With over 600 million views and a loyal fanbase, the manhwa’s sudden disappearance left readers surprised. It additionally triggered conversations about creative integrity in comics. However Wind Breaker isn’t the primary sequence to be axed for crossing the road between inspiration and imitation.
Wind Breaker was a long-running Korean webtoon about aggressive biking and friendship by Jo Yong-seok. In July 2025, the writer and Naver each issued public apologies after followers noticed scenes that seemed practically equivalent to panels from well-known Japanese manga, together with Tokyo Ghoul and Yowamushi Pedal. Some panels gave the impression to be immediately traced. After an inner assessment confirmed the claims, the platform pulled the sequence and refunded readers who had bought chapters.
This scandal sparked a collective reminiscence amongst manga readers, and it seems that there’s a monitor file of beloved titles being taken down underneath related circumstances.
Which manga titles have been cancelled over plagiarism claims?
One of the notorious examples is Flower of Eden, a shōjo manga by Yuki Suetsugu that was serialized within the early 2000s. In response to Anime Information Community, Suetsugu was discovered to have copied a number of panels from Takehiko Inoue’s Slam Dunk and Actual. Kodansha halted publication and pulled all volumes from circulation. Worldwide publishers like Tokyopop adopted go well with. The writer admitted to the plagiarism and took a hiatus from the business earlier than returning with the acclaimed Chihayafuru.
One other trendy case concerned the controversial 2021 isekai sequence Cheat Slayer, as reported by Anime Nook. The sequence took intention at different reincarnation-themed manga by presenting thinly veiled variations of widespread protagonists as antagonists. Readers accused the sequence of not simply parody however direct copying. The manga’s writer, Kadokawa, confronted huge backlash and pulled the sequence after only one chapter. The writer and editorial crew publicly apologized.
In 2024, the one-shot manga Sayonara Surprise Rabbit was additionally pulled again by Shueisha, in accordance with Anime Nook. The motion was taken after it was discovered that the manga closely plagiarized the 2017 film Brigsby Bear. Sayonara Surprise Rabbit was part of the Tonari no Younger Soar web site content material. It was written by Yuki Komuro. CBR then reported that one other manhwa by the title of Cat on the Sizzling Tin Roof was additionally cancelled following plagiarism allegations. It was alleged that the manga copied closely from widespread titles like Evangelion.
The road separating inspiration and plagiarism in artwork is kind of skinny. It’s dependent rather a lot on the artist and the inventive discretion to be sincere with their artwork. These cancellations of manga and anime over time have clearly signalled that the followers won’t take flippantly to any blatant copies of artwork.
For extra such updates, take a look at Hollywood Information.
Should Learn: Was Patrick J. Adams Really Depressing Whereas Enjoying Mike Ross On Fits? Right here’s What The Actor Revealed
Observe Us: Fb | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google Information